India have slipped to the third position in the latest released ICC Test team rankings. This is the first time since October 2016 that Virat Kohli and boys are not at the top of the rankings. Australia, who have dethroned India, are now at the top with 116 points, while New Zealand are at the second position with 115 points.
But with no cricketing event happening across the globe how did India lose no. 1 Test spot?
International Cricket Council’s media report says that the latest rankings have taken into consideration all the matches played since May 2019 at 100 per cent and those of the previous two years at 50 percent. So, this means that the current rankings have removed the records from 2016-17 which was a golden year for Team India, where they won 12 Tests and lost just one. They had won all five-Test series during that period, including victories against Australia and England. During the same period, Australia had lost against South Africa and were humbled by Virat Kohli’s brigade.
⬆️ Australia
⬇️ India🚨 BREAKING: Australia are the new No.1 in the @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Team Rankings following an annual update 🥇 #ICCRankings pic.twitter.com/0V0KP3f6dA
— ICC (@ICC) May 1, 2020
The good news for India, though, is that they continue to lead the ICC World Test Championship which is a league of six series featuring the top nine sides of the world.
Despite falling to the third spot from the top of the table, India are not the biggest sufferers in the latest ICC Test team rankings. South Africa, who saw a dip of eight points, are now at the sixth position i.e. below Sri Lanka in the rankings. The Proteas had won three series during the period that has been removed, while, since February 2019, they have lost eight of their nine Tests.
